Special relativity and classical field theory The theoretical minimum

This delightful book by Stanford physicist Susskind and Friedman, an engineer, is the third volume in their "Theoretical Minimum" series (Vol. 1, CH, Jul'13, 50-6241; Vol. 2, CH, Jul'13, 50-6241). This installment introduces readers with a calculus-level knowledge of mathematics to the two fundamental fields of special relativity and relativistic classical field theory. The first of these is presented through the use of the Minkowski diagram, which is a versatile visual tool for understanding the implications of the constancy of the speed of light and lack of simultaneity among moving observers. The text then introduces field theory through the use of Lagrangians, first in the context of scalar fields. The authors go on to discuss electromagnetic fields, particle-field interactions, and gauge invariance--all fundamental topics. What makes this text so enjoyable, readable, and unique is its friendly, colloquial style. Susskind is masterful at explaining concepts in a down-to-earth manner and, from there, transitioning into the mathematics that encode the concept. Readers without a background in physics will find the text difficult, but those with some undergraduate familiarity will walk away with a firm grasp of the basic concepts. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students; general readers. --Alan Spero, formerly, University of California

Susskind and Friedman follow their collaboration on Quantum Mechanics by probing the mathematical nitty-gritty of field theory and Einstein's theory of special relativity in the third installment of the Theoretical Minimum series. The series is designed to complement Susskind's videos on the Stanford University website, introducing students to "the theoretical minimum" needed to understand modern physics. Here, the authors begin with discussions of inertial reference frames and the concept of simultaneity. That leads to Lorentz transformations, which describe how time and length change at velocities approaching the speed of light, and the infamous "twin paradox": the strange theoretical phenomenon in which an identical twin at rest ages faster than a sibling on a high-speed journey in space. The authors examine relativistic fields and how particles move in them before introducing tensors and diving headlong into magnetic and electric fields, field theory, and Maxwell's equations. As with the authors' previous books, enthusiastic discussion is seasoned with wry humor. The book requires knowledge of calculus, but the text is well paced. The latest book in the Theoretical Minimum series delivers exactly that, in clear and concise chapters. Illus. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.